2015-04-30 - Residents Reminded of the Importance of Emergency Preparedness

Emergency officials in the City of Charlottetown are reminding the public that May 3-9 is Emergency Preparedness Week. As part of that, residents are being encouraged to have a 72-hour survival kit in their home in case of emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Week occurs annually during the first full week of May. It is a nation-wide event coordinated by Public Safety Canada. The message across the country, and in Charlottetown, is the same: be prepared.

The public is encouraged to prepare for all types of emergencies such as hurricanes, flooding, blizzards or other events that may mean days without electricity or other utilities, and potential delays in emergency response or access to supplies.

Some of the supplies recommended for a survival kit include:

• a supply of water for between three and seven days;• non-perishable food;• a stocked First Aid kit;• prescription and non-prescription medicines;• formula, diapers and other baby supplies, if needed;• a manual can opener;• toiletries;• battery-powered radios and flashlights with extra batteries;• blankets and a change of clothing for each household member (in case of evacuation);• candles and matches or a lighter;• and a charged cell phone.

It is recommended that parents discuss with their children what to do in case of emergency, and that everyone in the household knows where the emergency kit is located.